goldeneye
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Wii Warm Up: Ahh, GoldenEye
With all the positivity flowing from Microsoft toward Nintendo right now via the DS, it looks like the chances of seeing a Rare title or two on the Virtual Console may have increased beyond what we initially anticipated. We're still not saying it's likely, but there may be a better chance than the proverbial snowball has in hell that we'll see a Rare game. By "Rare game," of course, we mean GoldenEye and you know it. We look fondly upon our time (lots and lots of time) with this beloved multiplayer gem. The simple joy of the grenade launcher. The force with which we cursed our best friends. The violence that ensued. Good times. Talking about it can bring a tear to the eye. But what about you? We talk about it, sure, but would you pay for GoldenEye on the Virtual Console? For that matter, do you think we'll even see it? Let's put it on the table.
Ken Lobb thinks Crackdown is the best game EVAR
Of course, being involved with the game's development may have swayed his opinion just a tad. Speaking to Newsweek's N'Gai Croal, Microsoft design director, Ken Lobb, drunkenly divulged that his very own GoldenEye 007 had been surpassed by the fun presented in Crackdown. Since Ken previously considered James Bond's N64 outing to be among the best games ever, it follows that Crackdown is among the bester games ever. It's not an unreasonable opinion to have; certainly not with all those supercops leaping over buildings and kicking crooks in the head. Then again, Mr. Lobb once described Perfect Dark, which he also worked on, as "the best FPS ever, for any system, period." It's all very confusing, but if you want to extract a key piece of information here, it's that Ken Lobb is constantly working on the best game ever. Though we say that with tongue planted firmly in cheek, a positive mindset like that would probably be quite motivating in our rough games industry.
Phil Harrison on Rare's decline
On his Newsweek weblog, N'Gai Croal posts a brief exchange with Sony's Phil Harrison from October. The previously unpublished question asks Harrison's thoughts on why Rare has slid into irrelevance. Croal posted the question and answer because of the recent news about Rare's creators leaving the company.Harrison does his best to remain diplomatic about the Microsoft-owned company and avoid the question. However, he alludes to Microsoft executives and corporate culture possibly disrupting Rare's style, although he also wonders if Rare's already secretive nature and inward focus hid industry trends from the company.Is there any hope -- or reason to hope -- that Rare rebuilds itself? Or since its founders have left, should we just dust off our GoldenEye carts and reminisce?
Goldeneye: Source beta released
The 22-man team working to modernize Goldeneye 64 with the Source Engine have given everyone the perfect Christmas gift: a public beta showing off the fruits of their labor. (It's just a step above last year's present, the alpha version.)The mod, which requires a Source-based game to work, has already garnered much attention over the years for the level of detail in its stage design and weaponry. All information, including known bugs, can be found on the developer Wiki. Here are some suggestions, via the mod's main website, on how to stabilize the game: Check for and download latest video card drivers A server with 10 people seems to work better Have the Base SDK installed Download the mod again on another mirror and reinstall the mod. Turn HDR off Turn shadow detail on low A patch is being planned but no date has been determined.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Nintendo wants GoldenEye back
digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Nintendo_Wants_Goldeneye_Back'; MTV's Stephen Totilo recently grilled Nintendo's Reggie Fils-Aime about all things Wii. When questioned, the NoA president didn't hold back his desire to see GoldenEye returned to Nintendo's platform, revealing to Totilo, "Suffice it to say we would love to see [GoldenEye on Virtual Console], so we're exploring all the rights issues."So how far is Nintendo willing to "explore"? If GoldenEye is to enjoy its homecoming, royalties could certainly be owed to Microsoft, which now owns developer Rare, and Activision, which scooped up the Bond license earlier this year. Judging by Reggie's comments -- "the pain is worth the gain" -- Nintendo may be willing to cut those checks.
Goldeneye throwback maps for download, Xbox Goldies only
Microsoft and Rare have released updated versions of Goldeneye's Facility and Temple (now "Ruin") multiplayer maps for use with Perfect Dark Zero. The pair is free to download, but only available to Xbox Live Gold members (hey, it pays to pay). Throw in a polished-up Complex, and we just might consider re-investing in this game.
Relive youth with GoldenEye Source trailer
A team of fans is rebuilding GoldenEye 007 with the Half-Life 2 Source engine; that ought'a teach today's kids about good game design. The team just released an impressive trailer of its efforts, showcasing many of the recreated environments. While the project is still unfinished -- we'll call it "pre-cease-and-desist" -- you may soon be able to relive that Bond classic on a PC.But let's take a moon-walking step backwards here. These rebuild-the-classic game projects seem aimed at the gamer who looks at how perfect life was back then, with the velour car seats and prom date. And wait a minute, GoldenEye came out less than ten years ago. (Replace "moon walk" with "pop-n-lock," "velour" with "neoprene," and "prom date" with "internet porn.") It's not like your N64 won't work with your new TV. You might even be able to download the original on the Wii.Modders, we salute your ingenuity and desire to bring your GoldenEye experience to today's dirty, ungrateful youth. Judging from the video (embedded after the break), we know you've put a lot of work into the project. But why not spend that energy on making something unique? We know you can, and we want to play it.[Thanks, nowhere]
Treyarch developing Bond game
Those already picturing the mesmerizing possibilities of an action/adventure set in the world of financial loans will have to face disappointment yet again, as Ultimate Spider-Man developer Treyarch has been tapped by Activision to create a game starring the other and recently less valuable Bond. James Bond. Likely based on the upcoming film franchise reboot, Casino Royale, the game is targeting next-generation platforms and the general consensus that Bond games aren't worth a (Money) penny.Having rescued the Bond license from the metallic hands that programmed Goldeneye: Rogue Agent, Activision will no doubt attempt to do right by Fleming fans if they wish to reap the rewards from their investment. Giving Treyarch the job seems like a good decision, certainly superior to that of placing a permanently disgruntled, blond man into the suave spy's shoes. Indeed, it seems preferable to place the gamer in those rocket-propelled shoes instead. Who wouldn't want to be a man of mystery (like, which STD does he have?) traipsing across the world, bedding foreign beauties and then killing said foreign beauties when they inevitably betray you? Also -- casino minigames!
Goldeneye tested on 12 year-old, fails 'timeless' test
AddictedGeek.com recently dropped a N64, four controllers, and a copy of the much-beloved Goldeneye in front of a 12 year-old. Mind you, said 12 year-old, while a "confirmed geek," has never played a game that predates 2001. His entire gaming collection is firmly rooted in a high end PC, Xbox 360, and PS2.So what was this young upstart's reaction to what many of us consider a 'timeless classic?' Well, the little bastard panned it:"The single-player was one of the worst I have ever played ... I can see why it was so popular when it first came out, but nowadays very few aspects of the game stand out, and many more pull it back ... it wasn't long before we pulled out Halo 2." (Kids these days...)
Video proof: FPS characters walk real funny
You know how, in first person shooters, you're running all the time while observing the polygonal world down the barrel of a gun? Yeah, good times. As clear and undeniable proof that not only are video games not realistic but they're totally funny, we point you towards this Goldeneye spoof-video where our would be James Bond kicks his feet so high in the air, it reminds me of ... well, me in high school gym class I guess. Check out the video (embedded after the break) while I drown my high school memories in round after round of XBLA UNO. Who's the nerd now?[Via Cathode Tan]
Don't expect any Rare games on the Virtual Console...
...according to Matt over at IGN, who claims to have spoken with some key Rare folk about the possibility of some of Rare's past greats to be in Nintendo's Virtual Console's starting lineup during GDC. While it's pretty much a given that this would be the case, what with Rare being alligned under the cold, Borg-like, Microsoft Game Studios, no-shows will undoubtedly be Killer Instinct, Perfect Dark, Banjo & Kazooie, Goldeneye 007, and Blast Corps. That last one hits this Blogger especially hard. I know many people would say the N64's strongest game was Goldeneye 007 or Perfect Dark, some might claim its stellar first-party offerings in Ocarina of Time and Super Mario 64 were superior, but for this Blogger no other experience on the console could top the sheer ecstasy of uppercutting buildings as a giant mech and bulldozing gas stations in Blast Corps. It was like a digital incarnation of my childhood with Tonka trucks and Transformers.
Goldeneye DS trailer
Yes, we know, it's a port of one of last year's biggest letdowns, but heck, it sure looks pretty-in that N64 sorta way. And we're sure all of you DS owners would welcome a (semi) mature-themed FPS. That is, if you're not tired of Pokemon Dash or Rayman DS yet... [Thanks, Andrew]
GoldenEye: Rogue Agent. Be the bad guy.
It's all very well fighting the forces of evil and being the good guy, but the fact is very few games allow you to be the bad guy. Coming down the road for PS2, GC and Xbox, GoldenEye: Rogue Agent lets you play... Well, can you guess from the title? Yes, that's right. A rogue agent. In the early part of the game, you're booted from MI6, and wind up working in and around the Bond underworld, meeting such legendary Bond villains as Dr. No, Goldfinger and Scaramanga (AKA The Man with the Golden Gun), as well as playing with Pussy Galore. The game is looking good, and hopefully will make a pleasant change from playing that annoying do-gooder, 007.
New Goldeneye: Rogue Agent screenshots - enh...
The first screenies that came out for Goldeneye: Rogue Agent were pretty impressive. You could see the warts on the guys' faces. The PR spin that oozed out was filled with promises of physics and facial expression implementations that would blow us away. Now, to be fair, these are only screenshots, so it's hard to judge. But we'll judge anyway...What the hell happened? These are mediocre at best, and remind us more of a first-generation PS2 title than a next-generation Bond game.
GoldenEye Rogue Agent: direct-feed footage
Head over to the IGN media pages to get a look at the entire second level of GoldenEye: Rogue Agent. The mission unfolds at Auric Enterprises, Goldfinger's mountain stronghold, which is under attack from Dr. No and his henchmen. As Goldfinger's ally, it's up to you to stop the invasion. But don't worry, you're character comes well equipped...
Paul Oakenfold to spin for Goldeneye: Rogue Agent
Superstar DJ, Paul Oakenfold, has agreed to compose an original score for EA'a upcoming sequel Goldeneye: Rogue Agent. Oakenfold has been featured in several other games, including 2001's Frequency and EA's upcoming installment of FIFA. In other news, Judi Dench ("M") & Christopher Lee ("Scaramanga" from The Man with the Golden Gun) have signed on to voice their talents for the project. Rogue Agent is due out November 15.
Two clips for the next James Bond game
The next installment in the exceptional James Bond series, Goldeneye 2: Rogue Agent, gets a couple of clips on Xbox Advanced. The game is going to go out on a limb and place the famous character on the other side of the railroad tracks, letting us play Bond as a bad guy. The premise is risky and the graphics are great - a good start, as the game moves into preview/marketing mode. The clips you can download include a Fort Knox scene, where you'll probably fund your rogue operation. You also get a great looking Hong Kong scene. What modern Bond yarn would be complete without a scene in Hong Kong?
Goldeneye: Rogue Agent takes a walk on the wild side
It's doubtful the original James Bond license-holders would have allowed this game to be made. Goldeneye: Rogue Agent is a game based on the premise of 007 being kicked out of the agency, due to his Uncoventional methods. The title flaunts the byline, "Why save the world, when you can rule it?" So you know we're in for an alternative reality experience. While the game looks like it implements some intriguing graphical upgrades (notice the detail on Q's face in the vid), we can't help but wonder if the premise is a little too risque - in the wrong way.
